Thin_Lizzy Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 I managed to kick my nice SG standard yesterday and left a large scuff on the nitrocellulose lacquer (on the front face of the guitar). I'm not really into the relic look and would like my guitar back to how it was. Is it possible to polish out the scuff. I don't think it's deep enough to require filling / nail varnish. Any suggestions gladly received. Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 I hope somebody can answer thisbecause the same thing happened to me. It's a very small little scuffed line near my input jack. I have tried the Dunlop 65 polish that I use to clean my SG but I just can't get it off. I haven't tried anything else cause I stopped caring about it like 3 years ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LPC Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 It is possible to polish out scuffs, but only if they are light. First, make sure there are no traces of dirt or grit from the shoe otherwise you will soon have a multitude of scratches. A stock of old cotton T shirts are good for cleaning and polishing. White spirit or naptha makes a good cleaner / degreaser. Just apply a small amount to the cloth and gently wipe over the area. Turn the cloth and repeat. When dry, fold a clean piece of cloth into a pad (4 layers of cotton). Apply a dab of T cut or Brasso to the pad, and gently rub across the scuff working in line with the body - in other words parallel with the strings. The reason is because nitro cellulose is relatively soft, and the polishing action is actually making microscopic scratches in the surface. It works best to follow the grain in the wood, rather than across the grain. Don't rub in exactly the same spot on the guitar with the same part of the cloth. Lift the cloth and rub in a slightly different place. I would lift the pad every 5 or 6 rubs. If you feel a slight 'drag' to the cloth, take a fresh piece of cloth, wrap into a pad and buff up to see how it's going. You have to avoid pressing hard at all times. If the mark is spread over a large area, it would be an idea to use the cotton wrapped around a cork sanding block. For a medium area, cut a cork block in half, or make one from wood. Chamfer all the edges to avoid pressure points. If there are still scratches after one application of T Cut / Brasso, I would be wary of going for another. It might be that you have polished out the worst, and the remaining marks can only be seen by tilting the guitar and catching the light on it. Conventional guitar polish might just put a sheen on things to make it look good. It's inevitable that guitars will become marked with use. Cellulose marks easier than more modern finishes, so we can't expect perfection unless it has been stored in a glass case ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thin_Lizzy Posted December 21, 2009 Author Share Posted December 21, 2009 Thanks very much for the tip. I'll give it a go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmiJAMM Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 If that doesn't work, kick it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbonesullivan Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 man.. I've never managed to kick a guitar. Now, did you try the Gibson pump polish? what may have happened is that you actually left some of your shoe on the guitar. more solvent-based polishes may take it out better. and yeah, don't kick it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thin_Lizzy Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 I'm amazed how soft the lacquer is on Gibsons. My old Strat has had much more of a hard life and there are no scratchs on it to speak of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 There is a different finish on your Strat than your SG. Unless you have one of a select number of models, or a very old Strat, you have poly...something, while the SG has nitrocellulose. I don't remember if Fender is using polyurethane or polyester. Depending on how bad the "scuff" is, you may also have to drop-fill with more nitro. Stew-Mac has the supplies, as well as tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tech21 Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 Again, a bit of a late post... Not sure if there is anything in here that will help... How to Clean a Real Dirty Guitar Or here... Chipped Finish Best of Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwness Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Hey Mark Were you able to get the scuff mark out? If so what did you end up doing? CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 I've used some of the "Novus" #2 Fine Scratch Remover on my old Melody Maker with great results. It had some kind of "buildup" on a few spots that naptha wouldn't remove. Took some elbow grease (maybe that's what the buildup was :- ? ) and changing the cotton cloth after 4 or 5 swipes, but it removed the gunk and polished the surface really good. Has anyone else used this stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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